Guinness wrote:What is it about the idea of Crosby and Bennett together on a line that makes me giddy?

Also - and this really isn't the thread for this - I think if the netminding holds up, this team will win the Cup this year.

Meh. What the hell. I said it.

Maybe that except for 2 months with Hossa, Crosby has only ever played with pluggers and has-beens...and not only dominated, but turned his linemates into all-stars?

Maybe that Bennett looks to have the play-making vision to get Sid the puck, can snipe decently, and is willing to dive in and get his nose dirty? Sid's been relied upon for puck-possession 90% of the time with his current and past linemates...

Maybe that Bennett is 21 years old and could conceivably play alongside Sid for the next 5-10 years?

pcm wrote:Both Kunitz and Dupuis were once cast-offs. Players are not linear programs. Kobesaw and D'Agostini are guys who have scored 20 goals in this league. They've both gone through a down cycle in their careers. Expecting them to get back to that level is just as silly as expecting them to bust because of last year's play. You just give them a chance to succeed and if it works out, fantastic. Hopefully, you have enough depth that you get 1 or 2 guys who surpise you each year to balance out the few that don't work out.

Between Kobesaw, Jokinen, D'Agostini, Jeffrey, Glass, Vitale, and even Payerl and Megna, I think we've got enough guys competing for 4 spots, who all have a shot at contributing at a high-level in our bottom 6. Probably, 1 or 2 of the 8 will have a "break out" performace. 1 or 2 will suck or get serioulsy injured. The other 4 will be average. The net result? The break outs play on the 3rd line and get to play a meaningful role. The 4th line ends up being average... that's why its the 4th line.

This is what depth and competition is all about.

in other words, it's a collection of junk and we're hoping to strike lightning. in other other words...that's about as bad as it gets other than fielding about 6 colton orrs.

As said before, Sutter does much better when his LW has some skill and a good shot. What Staal did for Kennedy in scoring Sutter and Jokinen could possible do too. Just need some grit on the RW. Kobasew would round out that line very well.

I'm not. It's only pre-season. But if Kobasew makes the team, he should never see a shift with Crosy and Kunitz, so I really don't see the point in them practicing as a line and even playing half a game as one, but whatever.

Looks like Bennett will be playing on the 3rd Line the Sutter and D'Agostini

Based on the morning skate info, looks like Kobasew will be playing the right-side with Sid... However, I am sure Bennett will get some looks with Sid throughout the game.

As per Bylsma: “Realistically (Kobasew) is trying out for a third-line wing position,” Bylsma said. “His opportunity tonight looks like it might be in the top-6, but realistically with a healthy roster, he’s competing for a third-line role.”

Ok. I get it is a pre season game and the lines will no doubt be very fluid, but WHAT IS HCDB's FREAKIN PROBLEM?!?!?Bennett has done more than enough to prove he should be playing top 6 and if Kun-Sid-Dup can't roll why not give Bennett a shot with Sid?!If Kobasew is trying out for the 3rd then play him on the 3rd, see who plays best with Sutter and let them build chemistry.

I really don't 'get it', why is logical decision making consistently thrown under the zamboni?

He knows Beau can do it in that roll and wants to see if Kobasew, even in a preseason game, could keep up with a top line in case injuries would force their hand (because if the answer appears to be yes, he's worth trying to sign)?